News
New Report on Antimicrobial Building Products: Avoid Whenever Possible
Earlier this month, Healthy Building Network and the architecture firm Perkins+Will released the outcome of a year’s worth of research on the topic of antimicrobials in building products. After reviewing statements made by several government agencies, scientific and research publications, and claims made about individual products, Healthy Environments: Understanding Antimicrobial Ingredients in Building Materials concludes that there remains no evidence that the use of antimicrobial building products has any benefit to human health, and that these products should be avoided whenever possible.
Read MoreDoes Healthy SPF Exist?
Spray Foam products marketed as being healthier may be formulated without some of the hazardous chemicals traditionally found in SPF products, but don’t replace the really bad actor chemicals. SPF insulation - even those with improved formulations - remain at the bottom of our Stoplight chart, in dark red. (Updated, April 4, 2017.)
Read MoreDon’t Get Stuck With an Unhealthy Adhesive
We’ve heard from several HomeFree users that they’d like help understanding their best options for flooring adhesives. In response, Healthy Building Network has created another “stoplight chart” for adhesives ranking the most common options.
Read MoreTrimming Interior Hazards Through Careful Selection of Millwork
In a standard two-bedroom apartment, there could be as many as 450 linear feet of baseboard, casings, and other trim. Follow these tips to minimize the hazardous materials in these applications.
Read MoreGetting A Better Handle on Cabinet Specifications
Cabinet fronts, doors, and drawer fronts tend to be made from solid hardwood. However, the rest of the cabinet is generally made from various composite wood materials, such as plywood or particleboard, which can release formaldehyde into indoor air. Follow these tips to minimize the impact that cabinets have on interior spaces:
Read MoreAvoiding Hazardous Material in Doors
When you consider the number of doors installed in a typical home, it’s clear that careful selection of the materials in those doors can have multiplying effects. Follow these tips to limit the amount of formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals introduced into your project.
Read MoreReevaluating Insulation Materials To Create Healthier Spaces
“Without a clear focus on the safety and health of the materials used to make affordable housing more energy efficient, we will be trading lower energy costs for greater health impacts and ignoring the potential manufacturing job growth from the production of safer materials.” - Kimberly Glas, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance
Read MoreA Brush With Research: A HomeFree Member Searches for Healthy Paint
Guest blogger Sunshine Mathon (Foundation Communities in Austin, TX) writes about his recent experience selecting a paint for a recent project.
Read MoreSolid Choices in Healthier Countertops
The Homefree website now includes a “stoplight chart” for Countertops. Topping the list for healthier countertop materials is lead-free (US-made) ceramic tile, followed by solid surface products such as Corian, then engineered quartz and cultured marble. Plastic laminate and granite fall to the bottom of the ranking.
Read MoreA Cheat Sheet for Decoding Vinyl Product Literature
HBN created a "cheat sheet" to help connect the dots between our guidance on vinyl flooring and the technical literature produced by manufacturers. Have this sheet at the ready when a vinyl floor is necessary on your next project, and you're looking to make it as healthy as possible.
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